Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story

By Caren Stelson

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
A National Book Award Longlist Selection
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Flora Stieglitz Straus Award
A Booklist Editor's Choice

“Magnetic and chilling in its simplicity.”—The New York Times Book Review

August 9, 1945, began like any other day for six-year-old Sachiko. Her country was at war, she didn't have enough to eat. At 11:01 a.m., she was playing outdoors with four other children. Moments later, those children were all dead. An atomic bomb had exploded just half a mile away.

In the days and months that followed, Sachiko lost family members, her hair fell out, she woke screaming in the night. When she was finally well enough to start school, other children bullied her. Through it all, she sought to understand what had happened, finding strength in the writings of Helen Keller, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Based on extensive interviews with Sachiko Yasui, Caren Stelson shares the true story of a young girl who survived the atomic bomb and chronicles her long journey to find peace. Sachiko offers readers a remarkable new perspective on the final moments of World War II—and their aftermath.The paperback edition includes an afterword with updates on Sachiko’s legacy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Oct 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512418842

Caren Stelson

Caren Stelson is an award-winning author of nonfiction books that focus on war and peace themes. She believes young readers want to know the truth about their world and how others find resilience and courage in difficult times. Her work includes Ezra Jack Keats Book Award winner A Bowl Full of Peace and Sachiko: A Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivor's Story, which was longlisted for a National Book Award and received a Sibert Honor Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, and the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award. Caren and her husband Kim live in Minneapolis. www.carenstelson.com

Reviews for Sachiko

[alsparks324 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sachiko is an incredible non-fiction story of a 6 year old girl that survived the atomic bomb explosion on Nagasaki. Hearing how the bomb literally tore her family apart and how she survived while her family died either immediately, in the days shortly after the bombing, or years later due to the effects of radiation was incredible. Her strength in using Helen Keller, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. as role models shows that the human spirit can endure almost anything and go on. Sharing her story so that others can know the impacts of war and human cruelty will hopefully awaken us to the need to change and work together for peace. Great read!!

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A biography of Sachiko Yasui, a girl who was five and living in Nagasaki when the atomic bomb was dropped. Between chapters there are short articles about things relating to the war and nucelar prolifieration and atomic bomb. This interspersed with one girl's story is a powerful way to consider the impact of the atomic bomb both personally and on a more global scale.

[kodonnell-440231 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a hard to read book at first, with gruesome details of what happened to a girl and her family. The event continues to affect her whole life. Despite all the loss she faces as a result from the bomb, she has the courage to stand up and speak out in hopes of stopping others from experiencing what they had to as a result of the nuclear bombs. This would be a good book to assign to a class going over the war, however some of the content may be too graphic for younger audiences so use with discretion.

[bxr032 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you like truly gut wrenching stories Sachiko, is definitely a book for you. This biography of a 6-year old girl during the Nagasaki bombing explains the events and life during World War II. This is a great story to help understand what it was like during World War II.

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written collaboration between Caren Stelson and Sachiko Yasui. Love the blend of short chapters, photographs, and interleaved historical context pieces. A lot of devastating content, uplifted by Sachiko's message of peace and nonviolent resistance.

[mrsbond_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A personal story of life leading up to, during, and immediately following the bombing of Nagasaki. Interspersed throughout the text are personal and historical photos with wonderfully detailed captions. Encyclopedia-like entries at key points in the text describe historical events, providing greater insight and depth. Includes glossary of Japanese words, bibliography, notes, index, resources for additional reading.

[jenniferelizabeth2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Didn't realize this was a juvenile bio-- I definitely wanted a lot more depth about Sachiko after reading it! But I think it was a well-done presentation of the effects of nuclear war without being overly focused on the horror.